Unlock the Keys to Personality Development With a Psychology Degree

Understanding why people possess unique patterns of behavior, emotion and thought is crucial to unlocking human potential and pursuing a successful career in the psychology field, as well as other fields. For example, gaining insight into personality types and their decision-making processes helps professionals in human resources, social services, and other people-centered roles effectively manage conflict and improve communication among individuals and groups in diverse workplaces.

Through the comprehensive curriculum found in the online Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Psychology program from Aurora University (AU) students can delve into the science behind personality and use that knowledge to make meaningful contributions in their chosen field. The program equips students with strong foundational skills, opening the door to careers in a wide range of settings, including corporations, healthcare practices and academic institutions.

What Is Personality Development?

The study of personality development, also known as personality psychology, focuses on exploring the major traits, interests, abilities, self-concepts, and emotional patterns that comprise an individual’s personality. There are several key theories that help psychologists better understand themselves, clients, and colleagues. Insights from these theories help them create individualized plans to improve interpersonal relationships and identify strategies for personal development.

Sigmund Freud’s psychoanalytic theory was one of the first comprehensive approaches to personality development, according to NumberAnalytics. He proposed that personality forms through a dynamic conflict among three elements of the psyche: the id, or primitive desires; the ego, or rational self; and the superego, or moral conscience. Freud emphasized that early childhood experiences, particularly those related to psychosexual development, are critical to shaping one’s personality. He also introduced the concept of defense mechanisms, such as repression and denial, which the ego uses to manage anxiety and internal conflict.

The psychologist Carl Rogers argued that personality develops in response to the individual’s ongoing experience of self and their relationship with others. Rogers pioneered the theory of “self-concept,” which consists of how a person perceives themselves, according to Simply Psychology. When a person’s self-concept aligns with their lived experiences, they are likely to develop a healthy personality. In addition, the humanist Abraham Maslow introduced the hierarchy of needs, a motivational theory that outlines the stages people progress through in their quest for self-actualization. Individuals must satisfy basic physiological and safety needs before advancing to social needs, esteem, and finally, self-actualization.

Psychology students also study Albert Bandura’s social-cognitive theory, which emphasizes how personal factors, behavior and environmental influences interact to shape personality. According to Bandura, individuals can shape their own personality through conscious choices and goal setting. ManoShala explains how that works in practice. Individuals can use self-evaluation, coping strategies, self-esteem building strategies, and social skills to change their personalities, improve their response to stress, and better navigate their surroundings.

Careers That Leverage Personality Expertise

Professionals with a strong background in psychology can implement strategies that help improve the personal and professional lives of people with different personalities. Such skills are highly valued in any industry since every business seeks leaders who know how to successfully manage people. In the healthcare field, clinical psychologists diagnose mental illnesses and work directly with patients, according to Indeed. Other psychology graduates may choose a career as a researcher, organizational psychologist, educator, counselor, or human resources professional.

Aurora University’s online BA in Psychology program provides students with an academic foundation that is directly applicable to the next steps in their careers. The personality course explores the historical and contemporary theoretical viewpoints that explain human behavior. Students learn how to identify and address the root causes of challenges people face so they can find a path forward.

In addition, the social psychology course primarily focuses on individuals and how their social environment influences their thoughts, attitudes, and behaviors. For graduates interested in working with vulnerable communities, gaining insight into how an individual’s friends, family, and community shape their current behavior is crucial to crafting strategies that help them thrive. In the applied behavior analysis course, students learn the principles of reinforcement, punishment, stimulus control, and extinction and how they work within the psychology field. By the end of the course, AU students are prepared to apply those behavioral principles to circumstances as varied as drug and alcohol abuse and developmental disabilities to classroom management and business deals.

Choose From a Variety of Career Options With an Online BA in Psychology

Whether a student’s goal is to become a therapist, climb the corporate ladder, or continue to graduate study, Aurora University’s online BA in Psychology program equips students with a strong foundation in the science of behavior and the art of human connection. This comprehensive curriculum prepares graduates for diverse career pathways across multiple industries.

Graduates bring their newfound understanding of personality development to every role. They help their colleagues and bosses effectively and empathetically navigate conflict and encourage collaboration.

Learn more about Aurora University‘s online Bachelor of Arts in Psychology program.